Spacer Length Influence on the Electrooptic Effect of Methacrylic Azopolymer Series

Abstract

Methacrylic azopolymers with different spacer lengths in side chains have been synthesized. The spectra and kinetics of the electrooptic effect which arises in azopolymer films after their irradiation by linearly polarized light are investigated. The photo-induced optical anisotropy in the films appears due to a change of the concentration ratio of trans- and cis-isomers of azobenzene fragments. This explains the nature of the electrooptic effect. Owing to a mobility increment of azobenzene fragments by means of the spacer extension, the electrooptic effect becomes more pronounced, and its relaxation time decreases.

Keywords:

• azopolymer
• electro-optical modulator
• fragment mobility, information medium
• photoisomer